An autopsy will be held on Monday, but already there are suggestions the cause of death may not be a heart attack.

“The initial cause to spark the cardiac arrest could be of another nature, for example neurological. Everything will be clarified in the autopsy,” said doctor Paloscia of the Pescara hospital.

It is possible the collapse was caused by an aneurysm (a swollen or even burst blood vessel, most often in the brain), especially as a few minutes before the incident he had accidentally clashed heads with Pescara player Emmanuel Cascione.

Many are calling for even stricter tests on athletes, but the Italy squad’s chief medic Professor EnricoCastellacci believes they are already at the vanguard.

“No, the tests are strict. Very strict. The tests to be passed fit to play are set by law and take place in official centres for sport medicine,” he told the Gazzettadello Sport.

“In fact, numerous transfers from overseas are blocked precisely by these tests. In other Leagues, players are allowed to continue when they would be stopped in Italy.”

Fabio Pigozzi, President of the Federation of World Sport Medicine, agreed Italian rules provide more protection than in other countries.

“In recent weeks there have been a series of tragic events. Under 35 years of age, the statistics are of a cardiac arrest for every 100,000-300,000 athletes. Over 35 it is one every 15,000-50,000,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“In Italy the laws are at the vanguard and we try to minimise the risks, but it is impossible to make that risk zero. We must never lower our guard.”